Deontay Wilder: record, next fight and profile →
Malik Scott never wanted it to take place. Why should a flat-out novice in the sport of boxing be allowed to fight the heavyweight champion of the world in his pro debut? It wasn’t fair. But Scott understood the business side of things.
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has continued to apply pressure on Anthony Joshua to finalize a potential high-stakes showdown. For months, there had been talk of Wilder and Joshua colliding at the end of the year, but a big hurdle came up when a new management company was created to oversee boxing in Saudi Arabia.
By Keith Idec - Malik Scott recognizes that Francis Ngannou can punch. Deontay Wilder’s trainer finds it hard to believe, however, that the former UFC heavyweight champion can hit harder while wearing 10-ounce gloves than the most pulverizing puncher of this era. Scott pointed to Wilder’s track record while discussing Ngannou’s power during an interview with BoxingScene.com.
Deontay Wilder has offered his most heartfelt entreaty to Anthony Joshua yet. Amid rumors that the two former heavyweight titlists appear farther apart than ever to agreeing on a fight deal, Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s Wilder took to social media to address London’s Joshua directly.
The risk-reward calculus to fight Deontay Wilder apparently does not check out for many fighters, even when a potential $4 million windfall is to be had, according to Wilder’s trainer, Malik Scott.
Countless reporters and videographers have asked Tyson Fury in recent months if he expects Francis Ngannou to hit harder than Deontay Wilder. It is an obvious question because Ngannou’s vaunted power is the apparent selling point of this exhibition between
Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua indicates that his potential showdown with Deontay Wilder could still land on the same card as the undisputed fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, which is going to happen in Saudi Arabia.
WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is backing Deontay Wilder to overcome Anthony Joshua in a potential clash of former titleholders. Usyk picked up two of the biggest wins of his career against Joshua.
John Fury, father of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, believes Anthony Joshua needs to defeat Deontay Wilder in order to secure a showdown with the 'Gypsy King.'
Promoter Eddie Hearn maintains that Anthony Joshua will likely have two fights in the next six months or so. In a recent interview, the Matchroom head suggested that the former heavyweight titlist from London could return to the ring by December or January against an unnamed opponent.